Correlation Between Microsoft and ICON PLC

Can any of the company-specific risk be diversified away by investing in both Microsoft and ICON PLC at the same time? Although using a correlation coefficient on its own may not help to predict future stock returns, this module helps to understand the diversifiable risk of combining Microsoft and ICON PLC into the same portfolio, which is an essential part of the fundamental portfolio management process.

By analyzing existing cross correlation between Microsoft and ICON PLC, you can compare the effects of market volatilities on Microsoft and ICON PLC and check how they will diversify away market risk if combined in the same portfolio for a given time horizon. You can also utilize pair trading strategies of matching a long position in Microsoft with a short position of ICON PLC. Check out your portfolio center. Please also check ongoing floating volatility patterns of Microsoft and ICON PLC.

Diversification Opportunities for Microsoft and ICON PLC

0.6

Correlation Coefficient

Microsoft  ICON PLC

Poor diversification

The 3 months correlation between Microsoft and ICON is 0.6. Overlapping area represents the amount of risk that can be diversified away by holding Microsoft and ICON PLC in the same portfolio, assuming nothing else is changed. The correlation between historical prices or returns on ICON PLC and Microsoft is a relative statistical measure of the degree to which these equity instruments tend to move together. The correlation coefficient measures the extent to which returns on Microsoft are associated (or correlated) with ICON PLC. Values of the correlation coefficient range from -1 to +1, where. The correlation of zero (0) is possible when the price movement of ICON PLC has no effect on the direction of Microsoft i.e., Microsoft and ICON PLC go up and down completely randomly.

Pair Corralation between Microsoft and ICON PLC

Given the investment horizon of 90 days Microsoft is expected to generate 0.83 times more return on investment than ICON PLC. However, Microsoft is 1.2 times less risky than ICON PLC. It trades about 0.02 of its potential returns per unit of risk. ICON PLC is currently generating about -0.06 per unit of risk. If you would invest  40,754  in Microsoft on January 25, 2024 and sell it today you would earn a total of  242.00  from holding Microsoft or generate 0.59% return on investment over 90 days.

Time Period	3 Months [change]
Direction	Moves Together
Strength	Significant
Accuracy	100.0%
Values	Daily Returns

Microsoft  vs.  ICON PLC

Microsoft

Risk-Adjusted Performance

1 of 100

Weak

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in Microsoft are ranked lower than 1 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. In spite of comparatively stable technical and fundamental indicators, Microsoft is not utilizing all of its potentials. The latest stock price uproar, may contribute to short-horizon losses for the private investors.

ICON PLC

Risk-Adjusted Performance

9 of 100

OK

Compared to the overall equity markets, risk-adjusted returns on investments in ICON PLC are ranked lower than 9 (%) of all global equities and portfolios over the last 90 days. Even with relatively inconsistent essential indicators, ICON PLC reported solid returns over the last few months and may actually be approaching a breakup point.

Pair Trading with Microsoft and ICON PLC

The main advantage of trading using opposite Microsoft and ICON PLC positions is that it hedges away some unsystematic risk. Because of two separate transactions, even if Microsoft position performs unexpectedly, ICON PLC can make up some of the losses. Pair trading also minimizes risk from directional movements in the market. For example, if an entire industry or sector drops because of unexpected headlines, the short position in ICON PLC will offset losses from the drop in ICON PLC's long position.

The idea behind Microsoft and ICON PLC pairs trading is to make the combined position market-neutral, meaning the overall market's direction will not affect its win or loss (or potential downside or upside). This can be achieved by designing a pairs trade with two highly correlated stocks or equities that operate in a similar space or sector, making it possible to obtain profits through simple and relatively low-risk investment.

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Note that this page's information should be used as a complementary analysis to find the right mix of equity instruments to add to your existing portfolios or create a brand new portfolio. You can also try the Portfolio Dashboard module to portfolio dashboard that provides centralized access to all your investments.